The gentle splatter of rain on the arching windows was backed by the distant rumble of thunder as lightning flashed over the hills and forests of the manor grounds. Inside the luxurious manor was silent, when suddenly a sharp crack shattered the low rumbles of thunder, echoing across the manicured grounds. At the end of the manor's long hedge-lined drive a dark figure appeared, pulling its billowing cloak tight around itself like a shield from the rain. The figure strode towards the twisted wrought iron gate, drawing a wand from the depths of its cloak. With a sharp flick, the gate seemed to dissipate, more like dark smoke than metal, and the figure walked right through, the gate once again becoming solid behind it. The dark manor loomed ahead, soft gaslight shining from the second-floor windows. The figure came to a halt in front of the grand oak front doors, hesitating for just a moment, before reaching out a hand and knocking the large ornate door knocker. The deep booms could be heard resonating through the house, and in a moment, the door swung open. Before the figure, framed in light from the entrance fireplace behind it, was a tiny, ugly creature. Large bat-like ears protruded on either side of its head, in the middle of which were two large eyes set above a long crooked nose. It was wearing an old dishtowel, stained and worn thin from lack of care, wrapped around its torso like a dress.

"Tilly, fetch your mistress" the figure commanded

With a frightened squeak the house elf snapped its spindly fingers and disappeared with a crack, leaving the door open. The figure stepped inside, shutting the door behind itself and, lowering its hood, made its way to stand in front of the crackling fire in the entrance hall mantle. A moment later footsteps could be heard at the top of the grand staircase, and a woman appeared.

"Severus? What are you doing here? Is Lucius...?"

"Lucius is fine, Narcissa" the man cut her off, his voice hoarse and cracking slightly

"then what are you doing here? What's happened?" Narcissa began, making her way down the steps.

"I need your help Narcissa, I need you to..." His words broke off as he struggled to maintain his composure "Here, take it"

He drew back his cloak to reveal a young girl wrapped in blankets, barely a year old, sound asleep against his shoulder

"Severus, what is this?"

"Just take it, please" He held the girl out to her, forcing it into her arms.

"who is she?" Narcissa asked, brushing aside the girl's short locks of red hair. When Severus gave no reply, she looked at him and gasped softly in realization "Severus, I can't! The dark lord – "

"The dark lord is dead Narcissa!" Severus snapped "he's been destroyed"

"Impossible...Lucius will never – "

"He doesn't have to know. Listen to me, how long do you think it'll take before the Ministry is at your door? How long until they come for Lucius? For you?"

"I...I don't understand"

"Think Narcissa. What do you think will happen to Draco then? Sent away to live with someone else, your fortune, your reputation, everything, gone. Even Lucius would be able to see the truth in that"

"Then what do we do?" her voice was barely a whisper, fear creeping into her expression.

"lie, say whatever you have to. The dark lord has used many promises to gain followers, many curses as well. The ministry will never be able to tell the difference. We both know the power of the imperius curse"

"but what about the child Severus? I can't keep her"

"yes, you can" Severus paused, his dark eyes glancing at the sleeping girl. "what minister would put away a family who repents? Forced into service under the imperious curse, awakening to realize the horrors they had been forced to perform. Powerful, influential people, so overcome with shame you feel so compelled to give back you take in an unknown child at your door. One of countless orphans of this war. Swearing to raise them as your own alongside your own infant son. No minister would put you away, the public outrage would ruin them."

Narcissa looked down at the child nestled against her chest, so like her own son sound asleep in the nursery upstairs. She sighed, realizing the truth of his words. "I'll take her" she said finally, her voice barely a whisper "I'll take her for you"

"Thank you Narcissa. I owe you a debt I hope I can someday repay."

The woman nodded, her eyes fixed on the sleeping girl in her arms, the corner of her mouth turned down into a contemplating frown. "You should leave now" she murmured "run to whoever will save you. They'll be hunting for us soon"

She turned and began slowly making her way up the staircase, careful not to wake the child. At the top she paused, turning.

"Severus" she called down, stopping the man as he made his way towards the door "what's her name?"

Severus paused, the image of the crumbling house he had just left coming to his mind. Letters of a name hanging on the wall over a crib, several of them fallen and scattered across the floor.

"Eliza"

Narcissa nodded, lost in thought, as she disappeared down the hall and out of sight.

Severus let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He opened the door and made his way out into the rain. Pausing the stare up at the falling water, lost in thought as he pondered what was to come. Then, with a crack, he disappeared.